Best for Facebook-connected messaging
Messenger vs Telegram vs Viber: which messaging app should you choose?
Messenger suits Facebook-connected chats and calls, Telegram is strongest for large communities and flexible file sharing, and Viber appeals to people who want encrypted chats and free international V
At a glance
| App | Google Play | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MessengerMeta Platforms, Inc. | 4.7 out of 5114,813,598 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.05 - $7,999.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Everyone |
 TelegramTelegram FZ-LLC | 3.8 out of 517,343,583 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.31 - $289.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Mature 17+ |
 Rakuten Viber MessengerViber Media | 4.1 out of 516,690,539 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.99 - $99.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Teen |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
Advertisements
How we compared them
Messenger, Telegram, and Rakuten Viber Messenger are free communication apps for chats and calls across mobile platforms. All three support group conversations, while each takes a different approach to communities, privacy, and how easily you can reach people you already know.
Messenger links closely with Facebook, Telegram offers channels, bots, and cloud sync, and Viber combines encrypted chats with international calling. This comparison weighs their Google Play figures, features, trade-offs, and declared data safety so you can choose the fit for your needs.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings, install milestones, prices, in-app purchase ranges, and ad status read on November 7, 2026. We also considered each app’s stated communication features and the strengths and drawbacks relevant to choosing among these three.
For data safety, we describe only what each app declares on Google Play: the categories it says it shares or collects, whether data is encrypted in transit, and whether deletion can be requested. These declarations are not a direct measure of overall privacy or a guarantee about how every conversation is protected.
Messenger
Meta Platforms, Inc.4.7 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for Facebook-connected chats and familiar video calls
Messenger’s clearest advantage is its connection to Facebook contacts, making it a convenient choice for chatting with people already in that network. It combines voice and video calls with stickers and emojis, and its 5 billion-plus installs and 4.7 Google Play rating are the highest figures among these three.
That reach comes with trade-offs: frequent use can be demanding on battery and mobile data, and notifications may feel excessive. Google Play says Messenger shares several identity and device-related categories and collects a broad range of information, including contacts, photos, videos, and calendar events; it says data is encrypted in transit and deletion can be requested.
- Price
- Free
Pros
- Facebook contact integration
- Voice and video calls
- Highest rating and install milestone among these three
Cons
- Can use substantial battery and mobile data
- Google Play declares sharing and collection across many data categories
Telegram
Telegram FZ-LLC3.8 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for Large groups, channels, and cross-device file sharing
Telegram is the strongest fit here for large communities: it supports groups, broadcast channels, and bots, alongside broad file sharing and cloud synchronization across devices. Its Secret Chats offer end-to-end encryption and disappearing messages, while its Google Play declaration says it shares no data with third parties.
A key privacy distinction is that regular cloud chats are not end-to-end encrypted by default; Secret Chats are a separate option. The many settings may take time to learn, some advanced features require Premium, and using a phone number to register may concern privacy-minded users. Telegram’s 3.8 rating is lower than Messenger’s and Viber’s.
- Price
- Free
Pros
- Groups, channels, and bots for large communities
- File sharing and cloud sync across devices
- Secret Chats with end-to-end encryption
Cons
- Regular cloud chats are not end-to-end encrypted by default
- Advanced options can feel complex and some require Premium
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Viber Media4.1 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for Encrypted chats and free international calls
Viber pairs end-to-end encrypted chats with free international calls, giving it a useful mix for people who communicate across borders. It also offers group messaging, communities, contact integration, and a wide range of stickers. Its 4.1 Google Play rating is above Telegram’s, though below Messenger’s.
Viber includes ads, unlike the other two, and some features require in-app purchases. Battery use, occasional connection problems, and inconsistent notifications are potential frustrations. Google Play rates it Teen, compared with Everyone for Messenger and Mature 17+ for Telegram.
- Price
- Free
Pros
- End-to-end encrypted chats
- Free international calls
- Groups, communities, and stickers
Cons
- Contains ads, unlike Messenger and Telegram
- Some features require purchases and connectivity can be inconsistent
Which one should you pick?
Best for large communities and file sharing
Telegram
Best for encrypted chats and international calls
Rakuten Viber Messenger
Advertisements
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
Messenger has the highest rating of these three at 4.7, compared with Viber at 4.1 and Telegram at 3.8.
Which app is best for large groups and channels?
Telegram is the strongest fit for large communities, with groups, broadcast channels, and bots.
Are Telegram chats end-to-end encrypted by default?
No. Telegram’s regular cloud chats are not end-to-end encrypted by default; Secret Chats provide end-to-end encryption.
Which app supports free international calls?
Viber offers free international calls, alongside chats and group messaging.
Appwee compares apps independently. We don't make, own or distribute any of these apps and have no affiliation with their developers, Google or Apple. Names, icons and trademarks belong to their owners; store details and prices are shown for reference and can change.